Oh no! I just checked this thread and saw your post. Sorry to miss seeing you! Were you there last night? I was, and it was amazing. I loved the show, and the Mai Tais were pretty cool too. I may go again Sunday night. I'm so bummed I didn't check this thread sooner!!!

We might get a chance to make a trip to the Mai Kai sometime this summer. I've been wanting to go for years, but this would be our first time.

I was wondering if anyone out there had some hints for making the most out of the visit.

The best that I've gathered from reading threads on the board is "go early so you have some time to visit the garden before dinner".

My wife suffers from migraines, so we may or may not take in a show. I'm guessing that among other things, they're playing wooden drums, which might be too loud and percussive for her to enjoy for long.

Are there any floor plans online showing the layout of the place? I understand they have several dining rooms, a bar and the show room. Are they set up so one can wander around the whole place gawking, or do you have to pretty much keep to the dining room you're seated in?

Arrive early, have a drink (or three) and appetizers in the Molokai bar.

If you want to skip the show, ask to be seated in the back dining rooms (Tahiti or Moorea). You can enjoy your dinner and not have to worry about what the show might do to the wifes migraines.

As to floor plans.... there aren't any on-line that I am aware of, but I will do my best to describe for you. You will need your imagination for this because my writing skills are questionable at best:

You arrive at the Mai Kai by crossing a little wooden bridge and under the thatched roof the valet will take care of your car for you.

As you walk in the front doors, immediately to your left is the Molokai Bar. The Molokai looks very much like the inside of a old merchant ship, there is rain against the windows, and you hear the occasional thunder from outside (an nice effect of the wooden bridge at the entrance). The total effect is as if you are being carried away to far off exotic islands.

Once you've enjoyed a cocktail or two (there are 52 on the menu, and I like all but two of them), it will be time for dinner. Your host will greet you just outside of the Molokai where you will be entrusted to your Table Captain who will seat you. Depending on your reservation, or your request, you will be seated in one of several dining rooms. The 'Gardens' are at center stage, and three other dining rooms surround in such a way as to all face the main stage. If the show is not your thing, ask to be seated in Tahiti or Moorea, the two back dining rooms. The dinner is just as yummy, but the overall scene is much quieter, more personal, more like your on a date.

I can highly recommend the steaks! The Mai Kai uses Chinese style wood-fired ovens and what those ovens do to a steak is beyond words and can only be described as magical.

If cow isn't your first choice for dinner, you won't be disappointed with any of the fish dishes.

I should add a word of caution here.... there is a "Chinese" section of the menu. All of the dishes in this part of the menu are good, but they aren't anything better than you can get at your average take-away joint down the street. They are fun, however, as a taste of the past because I don't think they have changed up this part of the menu since the late 70's.

Back to the tour!

After you have had your dinner and desert, and hopefully an after dinner cocktail, it is time to stroll through the Gardens. If your in the main dining hall, you will walk down the hall (check out the vintage Leeteg velvets!) and turn left at the Fish Tank, down the few steps and then out to the gardens.

Once outside you will notice to your right the Chinese ovens mentioned above and to your left a huge fountain. Resist the urge to take a photo in front of the fountain. The fountain looses something on film, it just isn't as magical as standing next to it.

Follow the path around and in the back will be a wide area with a huge tiki standing sentinel over the gardens. This is where you want to take your picture!

Follow the path a little bit further and you will have another photo opportunity looking upward at the Mai Kai sign. Yes, everyone gets this shot, but if you do it right you can get the torches in the foreground, you and/or your spouse in the middle, and the Mai-Kai sign in the background.

Continuing the tour, you will come to a door that leads into the Inside Gardens. Some more tiki's, a beautiful fountain, some great shots if you still have your camera out and ready.

The path eventually leads you back to the main dining hall. When you get back to where the Host or Hostess is, turn left and visit the Mai-Kai Trading Company. We just call it the Gift Shop. Everything from the usual tourist trinkets to very nice mugs and clothing, and even the occasional tiki is available.

If you are still wanting some more, you can return to the Molokai Bar for a Flaming Coffee Grog, or a nice brandy, or very nice scotch, or of course another Rum Barrel.

Now that you have completely taken in what is the majesty of the Mai Kai it is time to say Aloha. The Valet will bring your car around and bid you good night. As you leave, pay attention to the front side of the building facing the street. Waterfalls, torches, and the big Barney West will all be there to stay in your imagination and call you back to the Mai Kai often.

OK, maybe not as good as an actual floor plan, but that is what you are in for.

And as to wandering around with camera in hand, it is normal so no one will look at you strange. At least none of the staff will look at you strange.

If you want, I can send up smoke signals and sound the drums and get the locals to meet you when your in town. The place is lots of fun when your in a group.

Unless, of course, you want to the romantic date night and be alone. That's cool too!

The restaurant mainly is only the left part of the floor plan, since the Bangkok room is now the gift shop. It gives you an idea how much "backstage" area is needed to run such a complex operation as a full service Polynesian palace.

To be a little further away from the stage, the elevated Tonga Room is good. For more privacy, not seeing the stage but with some garden views, I recommend the Moorea, Tahiti or even the Samoa room.

You must visit the Molokai bar, too, but make sure they don't have a Surf band playing there that night, THAT is really loud.

If you can get there for Happy Hour, do! 2 for 1 drinks which is literal. (Or was. May be 1/2 price now) That way, you swap drinks on the second round and fully enjoy 2 off the menu. Indulge in the Mstyery Drink if you can. You will never get that opportunity again (until you return again!) and it is a singularly iconic thing to participate in in this world! Takes you right back to 1956 and Don and the works.
If you read this, you probably already have drink suggestions to try. Consider the Zombie. It is not as strong as you have had other places and it is a close link to Don the Beachcomber's original 1934 version that started this whole Tiki fad. And they have been serving it there all along, as it disappeared from every other bar in the world. Try either the Mutiny or the Black Magic. Originals of the Mai-Kai you won't taste anywhere else in any form.
_________________Announcing Swank Pad and Crazy Al's Molokai Maiden!

Chip, were you meaning Samoa instead of Moorea? Moorea is still more-or-less part of the "show room" and so gets the full on loud show sounds. Tahiti and Samoa (my personal faves) are nice and quiet with just the right level of exotica and Polynesian-tinged music playing as you enjoy your dinner.